Zijin Mining’s rise over the past decade is one of the most striking stories in global mining. Founded in 1986 as a gold producer in Fujian province, Zijin has transformed itself into a diversified, internationally active mining group spanning gold, copper, zinc and lithium, the metals that increasingly define both traditional resource security and the energy transition. What distinguishes Zijin is not just its incredible growth, but the way that growth has been executed: rapidly, globally and at scale.

Zijin’s expansion over the past few years has been dramatic. Revenues increased roughly tenfold between 2010 and the mid-2020s, while market capitalisation rose even faster, reflecting investor confidence in the firm’s asset base, execution capability and deal-making strategy. Unlike many mining firms that remain tightly linked to a single commodity, Zijin has steadily diversified its earnings streams, using gold cash flows to finance expansion into copper and lithium, metals critical to electrification, grid investment and battery supply chains.

In 2025, Zijin reached new heights. In H1 2025, the firm reported net profit of USD 3.25 billion, while its market capitalisation surpassed USD 118 billion by year-end, up more than 118% year-on-year. Elevated gold prices provided a robust earnings base, while rising copper volumes and prices amplified operating leverage across Zijin’s expanded asset portfolio. Markets responded by valuing Zijin as a diversified global metals firm with long-life exposure to structurally supported demand, rather than as a cyclical gold producer.

Operationally, Zijin has become one of China’s most crucial outward-facing resource companies. Its overseas portfolio now spans Africa, Latin America, Central Asia and Europe, anchored by long-life assets acquired over the past six years. Zijin’s 10 most significant acquisitions since 2019 reveal a clear pattern: controlling stakes, operational influence and exposure to substantial deposits. Deals such as Continental Gold in Colombia (2019), Nevsun Resources in Canada (2019) and major gold and copper assets in Ghana, Peru and Kazakhstan underscore a willingness to operate in complex jurisdictions where asset quality justifies the political and execution risks.

Zijin’s expansion closely mirrors China’s broader industrial priorities. Copper and lithium acquisitions directly support power generation, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing, while gold continues to anchor profitability and balance-sheet resilience. The company’s growing lithium exposure, particularly in Argentina and China, signals an ability to pivot toward future-facing materials without abandoning its core strengths.

What makes Zijin particularly notable among Chinese miners is its technical and financial integration. The group combines exploration, mining, processing and smelting capabilities with in-house engineering and financing expertise, allowing it to move quickly from acquisition to production ramp-up. This integration has been a key factor behind its ability to extract value from assets that were previously underdeveloped or operationally constrained.

That said, Zijin’s expansion has not been without controversy. Some of the firm’s overseas operations have faced environmental scrutiny, community opposition and regulatory pushback, particularly in Europe and parts of Africa. These issues highlight the growing challenge for Chinese resource companies operating under heightened global ESG expectations. As Zijin’s footprint expands, reputational risk and regulatory compliance will increasingly shape its cost of capital and deal pipeline.

For CEOs and investors, Zijin Mining represents more than a fast-growing mining company. It is a case study in how China is translating its financial strength into long-term control over critical resource flows, using gold as a foundation and copper and lithium as bridges to the next industrial cycle.